The prevalence of pain in the shoulder, arm and hand is high among slaughterhouse workers, allegedly due to the substantial load of these body regions during work. Work disability is a common consequence of these pains. Lowering the physical exposure through ergonomic intervention may be a strategy to reduce the workload. An alternative strategy could be to increase the physical capacity through strength training of the shoulder-, arm- and hand-muscles. This study investigates the effect of two contrasting interventions, i.e. load reduction (ergonomic intervention) versus training of physical capacity (strength training) on pain and work disability in slaughterhouse workers.

The main hypothesis is that strength training intervention for 10 weeks compared with ergonomic intervention results in reduced pain of the shoulder, arm and hand.

The change in "pain intensity during the last week" (average value of shoulder, elbow and hand) from baseline to 10 week follow-up between the strength training group and ergonomic group. The ergonomic group will be considered the reference group. 2-way analysis of variance (Proc Mixed of SAS) with repeated measures will be used, with time and group as fixed factors and subject as random factor.

Total tenderness score [ Time Frame: change from baseline to week 10 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

change in examiner-verified tenderness of the muscles of the shoulder, arm and hand. Scale of "no", "a little", "moderate" and "severe" tenderness. Summed up to a total tenderness score (Andersen LL 2011, PMID: 21177034)

Strength training of the shoulder, arm and hand muscles for 3 x 10 minutes a week.

Behavioral: Strength training

Active Comparator: Ergonomic

Receives counseling on workstation adjustment and optimal use of the work tools.

Behavioral: Ergonomic

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 67 Years (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Slaughterhouse worker

the pain should have lasted at least 3 months

pain intensity during the last three months of >= 3 (scale 0-10) in the shoulder, elbow or hand

the pain should be frequent (at least 3 days per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

life threatening disease

pregnancy

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01671267